Mining apparatus



Oct. 1, 1929. M. P. HOLMES MINING APPARATUS Fil ed June 16, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct.v 1, 1929. M. P. HOLMES MINING APPARATUS Filed June 16, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Get. 1, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS MINING APPARATUS Application filed. June 16,

My invention relates to mining apparatus.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus. Another bj ect of my invention is to provide an improved miningapparatus especially adapted to use in entry or room cutting where it is desirable for the machine to operate from its truck. Still another object ot my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus having improved propulsion means. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus of the mounted type provided with a wheeled truck and an independently powered propulsive mechanism thereon adapted to wind in a cable suitably attached at a fixed extraneous point in advanceror in the rear of the truck to propel the mining apparatus along a trackway thereby eliminating all the usual truck driving mechanism between the mining machine motor and the truck wheels. Still another object of my invention is to provide an independent pressure fiuid actuated propulsive mechanism having improved means for wind ing in or paying out the pressure fluid supply hose as the mining apparatus moves relative to the trackway. These and other objects and advantages of my invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one form which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mining apparatus in accordance with my improvement, certam portions being broken away to facilitate illustration. I

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mining apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail front end elevation of a portion of the cable guiding means.

In this illustrative construction I have shown a mining machine and truck of the same general character as that described'and claimed in my copending applications Ser.

No. 508,390, filed October 17, 1921, and Ser. No. 701,390, filed March 24, 1924 which includes, generally, a truck 1 provided with wheels 2 adapted to move relative to a trackway 3 and. carrying thereon an adjustable 1924. Serial No. 720,421.

body portion 4 vertically adjustable by means of manually adjustable screw mechanisms, generally designated 5, in such a manner that the body portion 4 is maintained parallel with the trackway in its different elevated positions. Mounted upon the adjustable body portion 4 is a complete mining machine,

generally designated 6, which may be of any suitable type but is herein of the well known bottom cutting flexibly fed room and pillar type having a suitable driving motor, herein a pressure fluid actuated driving motor (not shown) and a projecting cutter bar'7 provided with'an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 8 adapted to be circulated about the cutter bar in a well known'manner. The

mining machine 6 is mounted upon a fixed swivel member 9, which is suitably rigidly secured as by bolts to the body portion 4,

about which the mining machine is adapted 7 13 meshes at a point near the rear of the machine with a much smaller gear 15 ournaled on a vertical axis 16 suitably carried upon the bottom of the machine. This gear 15, in

turn, meshes with a still smaller gear 17 similarly journaled on a parallel axis 18 and carrying above a larger gear 19 which, in turn, meshes with a spur pinion 20 fixed at the lower end of avertical driving shaft 21 and connectible byv a, suitable jaw clutch mechanism 22, similar to that described in my copending application Ser. No. 701,390, with a chain sprocket 23, the construction being such that when the clutch 22 is thrown in,

the sprocket 23 acts as a driving sprocket 9 driving the shaft 21, while when the clutch is thrown out the sprocket acts as an idler sprocket in a well known manner. More particularly it will be noted that the sprocket 23 is engaged by a feed chain 24- of the 1na- 5 chine which is, in turn, driven by a feed operating member or sprocket 25 rotatable as usual in such machines through feeding mechanism, not shown, driven by the motor at a fast speed in one direction or at a slow speed in the opposite direction, the feedchain being disposable relative tothe feed sprocket, the sprocket 23, and cooperating lateral guide sprockets 26 and 27. It will herein be noted that the feed chain 24 is adapted to be selectively connectible to abutments 32 suitably detachably carried by the front end of the adjustable body portion 4, thereby permitting the mining machine 6 to be swung about the swivel member 9 by means of the feed chain during cutting in a well known manner. It will also herein be noted that the free end of the feed chain 24'may be secured at a fixed extraneous point in advance of the machine, thereby permitting the mining apparatus to be propelled forward at a slow speed during cutting. Mounted upon the rear end of the adjustable body portion 4 of the truck is provided a truck propelling mechanism of improved form. it is obvious that this improved truck propelling mechanism may be used in combination with trucks of variousvother types if desired.

lit will further be noted that l have mounted on the body portion 4 a propulsive or reeling mechanism, generally designated 33, of awell known commercial form, which is adapted to wind in a flexible member, herein a cable34. As this reeling mechanism per se does not enter into myinvention, the same being described in copending application Ser. No. 430,211, it is only necessary to say that it comprises adrum 35 in which a unidirectional pressure fiuid actuated driving motor (not shown) is disposed, the rotation of the drum being controlled by a reaction mechanism, generally designated 36, including a brake band 3'? and brake band applying mechanism including a lever 38 pivoted at39 to a downwardly projecting rod 4-0 which is, in turn, pivoted at 41 to a crank 42 pivoted at 43 on the body portion 4 and provided with anoperatinglever 44 disposed adjacent the operating side of the truck; the drum 35 also being provided with a brake band 45 having a suitable operating handle 46 which is adapted to control or brake the rotation of the drum when the reaction control mechanism 36 is released, for instance, when the mining apparatus ismoving down a track way of a steep gradient. Motive power medium, herein pressure fluid is adapted to be admitted to the drum driving motor through a pipe connection 47 under the control of a usual throttle valve 48, which pipe connection communicates throu h a ine connection I 49' connected in any suitable manner to a hose reel 50 carried on a transversely en ending shaft 51 suitably mounted on the rear end of the adjustable body portion 4 and which is adapted to wind in and pay out a hose 52 as the mining apparatus moves relative to the trackway and with which the pipe connection 49 communicates, pressure fluid passing through the latter from any suitable source of supply. A guiding mechanism, generally designated 53, guides the hose as it is wound in or paid out by the reel. Suitably secured to the shaft 51 is also a pulley 54 which is adapted to be driven through a belt connection 55 by a driving pulley 56 suitably secured to a transversely extending shaft 5! suitably journaled on the body portion 4. The shaft 57 has secured thereto a sprocket 58 which is adapted to be driven through a chain and sprocket connection 59 by the truck wheels. The tension of the belt 55 is herein also adapted to be adjusted by means of an adjustable idler pulley 60. The rear axle of the truck is provided with a suitable braking device, generally designated 61, provided with an operating lever 62 pivoted at 63 on the truck frame.

When it is desired to propel the mining apparatus forwardly relative to the trackwa y,

the cable is passed from the top of the drum 35 of the propulsive mechanism beneath a guide roll or sheave 64, slidably mounted on a transversely extending horizontal shaft 65 supported byv suitable standards 66 carriedupon the body port'pn 4, and forwardly overa guide roll 67 journaled on atransversely extending horizontal axis 68 and forwardly beneath the mining machine and its cooperating swivel parts and over a guide roll 69 suitably journaled on a horizontal stud 70 carried by brackets 71 suitably secured to transverse plates 72, in turn secured to the angle irons 14 of the body portion 4, the cable then passing forwardly along the trackway to a suitable stationary abutment, for instance, a rail clamp, jack, or the like. When the cable is in its position the throttle valve 48 is manipulated by the operator, permitting pressure fluid to pass through the hose 52, the reel connections, and pipe connections 49 and 47 to the drum driving motor, actuating the same. The operator then manipulates the handle 44 which applies pressure to the brake band 37, thereby operating the reaction controlling mechanism 36, causing the drum to be rotated in a clockwise direction, winding in the cable and consequently moving the mining apparatus forwardly along the trackway, the brake band 45 being released at this time. As the cable is wound onto the drum the guide sheave 64 slides back a dif rth along the shaft 65 cruising the cable to be wound evenly onto the drum in a well known, manner.

When it is desired to move the mining apparatus rearwardly relative to the trackway the cable 34 is extended from the top of the drum 35 forwardly over the guide sheave 64 and around the guide roll 67 and rearwardly along the trackway to a suitable extraneous abutment. The drum of the reeling mechanism 33 is then again actuated, reeling in the cable and consequently moving the mining apparatus rearwardly along the trackway. It will herein be observed that the right hand truck wheels 2 are protected by a suitable guard or cover member 7 3 thus preventing the cuttings from piling up over certain of the truck wheels as the mining machine and cutter bar is swung about its swivel. It is obvious that the rotation of the drum 35 and consequently the truck speed may be varied by means of the friction controlled reaction mechanism 36 and by the throttle valve 48 controlling the pressure fluid sup ply to the drum actuating motor. In soft cutting the propulsive mechanism 33 may also be utilized for feeding the cutter bar into the coal instead of the feed chain 24.

As a result of my improvement it will be noted that I have provided an improved mining apparatus having an improved propulsive mechanism including an independent driving motor which is of exceedingly simple and compact form and which may be applied to a truck of standard form with a minimum of change. It will further be noted that I have provided an improved unidirectional independently powered propulsive mechanism adapted to propelthe mining apparatus rela tive to the trackway by means of a flexible cable. It will still further be noted that I have provided an improved independently powered propulsive mechanism whereby it is unnecessary to operate the high powered mining machine driving motor for propelling the mining apparatus about the mine, but which permits the use of the comparatively small driving motor which consumes only a fractional portion of the usual motive power, thereby considerably reducing the cost of operation. It will further be noted that I have provided an improved mining apparatus wherein all driving connections between the mining machine motor and the truck wheels are entirely eliminated and wherein improved means are provided for preventing the cuttings from piling up over the truck wheels and for driving the power medium supply means reeling mechanism. I

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a self-contained mining machine of the type having power operated feeding mechanism and adapted to move on a surfacethereof directly upon a mine bottom during cutting supported on said truck, and a propulsive mechanism for said truck for propelling the latter during transport including a flexible member and a cooperating winding drum powered independently of said mining machine, said winding drum being supported on said truck at one side of the truck wheel axes.

2. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a selfcontained mining machine of the type hav ing power operated feeding mechanism and adapted to move on a surface thereof directly upon a mine bottom during cutting supported on said truck, and a propulsive mechanism for said truck for propelling the latter in 0pposite directions along a trackway including a flexible member and a cooperating drum powered independently of said mining machine and rotatable unidirectionally by power during either direction of truck movement.

3. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a selfcontained mining machine of the type adapted to move on a surface thereof directly upon a mine bottom during cutting supported on said truck and having provlslon for feeding the machme and truck during cutting, and

a propulsive mechanism for said truck including a flexible member, a cooperating drum powered independently of said mining machine, and means on said truck to guide said flexible member during movement of said truck.

4. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a mining machine thereon having power operated feeding and cutting mechanisms, a propulsive mechanism for said truck including an independently powered drum and a cooperating flexible member, and means on said truck at opposite ends of the latter to guide the flexible member in opposite directions relative to a trackway.

5. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a mining machine thereon having power operated feed ing and cutting mechanisms, a propulsive mechanism for said truck including an independently powered drum and a cooperating flexible member, and means on said truck at opposite ends of the latter and rotating on fixed axes to guide the flexible incmberin opposite directions relative to a-trackway.

6. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a mining machine thereon having power operated feeding and cutting mechanisms, a propulsive mechanism for said trucl: including an independently powered drum and a cooperating flexible member, and means on said truck at opposite ends of the latter and rotating on horizontal axes to guide the flexible member in opposite directions relative to a traclnva 7. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a selfcontained mining machine of a type adapted tomove on a surface thereof directly upon a mine bottom during cutting supported on said truck and having provision for feeding the machine and truck during cutting, a propulsive mechanism for said truck including an independently powered drum and a cooperating flexible member, and means to guide said member in opposite directions relat-ive to a traclnvay.

8. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a selfcontained mining machine of a type adapted to move on a surface thereof directly upon a mine bottom during cutting supported on said truck and having provision for feeding the machine and truck during cutting, a propulsive mechanism for said truck including an independently powered drum and a cooperating flexible member, and means at opposite ends of said truck to guide said meniber in opposite directions relative to a trackway.

9. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a mining machine thereon having means to feed said machine during cut mg, and mea .5 independent of said minin machine and the truck wheels including an independently powered drum and a cooperating flexible cable adapted to propel said truck during transport.

10. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a mining machine thereon having means to feed said machine (hiring cutting including a feed chain, and. independent means including a drum rotatable uni-directionally and having an independent source of power and a cooperating flexible cable adapted to propel said truck in opposite directions during transport.

11. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a self-contained mining machine sup ported on said truck of the type comprising a driving motor and feeding mechanism driven thereby, said machine being adapted to move on a surface thereof directly upon a mine bottom during cutting, and means indi'zg'iendcnt of said motor and the truck wheels including a flexible member adapted to be 8X tended from said truck to a point in advance thereof for propelling said truck relative to a trackway.

12.111 a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a self-contained mining machine supported on said truck of the type comprising a driving motor and feeding m chanism driven thereby, said machine being adapted to move on a surface thereof directly upon a mine bottom during cutting, and means in dependent of said motor including a drum and a. cooperating cable for propelling said truck, said drum being supported on the real. end of said truck remote from the truck wheel axes.

13. In a mining ap1: aratus, a wheeled truck, a mining machine thereon of the selfcontained type having power operated feeding mechanism and adapted to move on a surface thereof directly upon amine bottom during cutting, a propulsive mechanism for said truck supported on the latter independently of the truck wheels including an independently powered drum and a cooperating cable, and means for varying the operationof said drum.

14:. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a mining machine thereon of the self contained type, adapted to move on a surface thereof directly upon a mine bottom during cutting and having provision for feeding the machine and truck during cutting, apropulsive mechanism for said truck supported on the latter independently of the truck wheels including an independently powered drum and a cooperating cable, and means for frictionally controlling said drum.

15, In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a mining machine thereon of the selfcontained type adapted to move on a surface thereof directly upon a mine bottom during cutting and having provision for feeding the machine and truck during cutting, a propulsive mechanism for said truck supported on the latter independently of thetruck wheels including a power drum and a cooperating cable, and means for controlling said drum including a frictionally controlled reaction member.

16. In a mining apparatus, awheeled truck, a mining machine thereon of the self-coir tained type adapted to move on a surface thereof directly, upon a mine bottom during cutting and having provision for feeding the machine and truck during cutting, a propulsive mechanism for said truck supported on the latter independently of the truck wheels including an independently powered drum and a cooperating cable, means forvariably controlling said drum, and means for braking said drum.

17. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a mining machine thereon of the selfcontained type adapted to move on a surface thereof directly upon a mine bottom during cutting and provided with a driving motor, said machine also having provision for feeding the machine and truck during cutting, an independent propulsive mechanism for said truck supported on the latter remote from the truck wheel axes including a drum having a separate source of power and a co operating cable, and means for varying the o eration of said drum.

18. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a mining machine thereon of the selfcontained type adapted to move on a surface thereof directly upon a mine bottom during cutting and provided with a pressure fluid actuated driving motor, said machine also having provision for feeding the machine and truck during cutting, and means for propelling said truck supported on the latter remote from the truck wheel axes relative to a trackway including a ressure fluid act-oat ed drum and a cooperating cable, and lntiilllfi for frictionally controlling the operation of said drum.

19. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a coal cutting mining machine supported thereon having provision for feeding the machine and truck during cutting, propulsive mechanism independent of such mining machine adapted to propel said truck including a drum and a cooperating cable and having a power medium conducting member leading to said mechanism, and a reeling mechanism for said conducting member.

20. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a coal cutting mining machine supported thereon, said machine having power operated feeding and cutting mechanisms, propulsive mechanism independent of such mining ma chine adapted to propel said truck including a drum and a cooperating cable and having a power medium conducting member leading to said mechanism, a reeling mechanism for said conducting member, and independent means for operating said reeling mechanism.

21. In a mining apparatus, a truck provided with wheels, a mining machine thereon provided with a driving motor and feeding mechanism driven thereby, means independent of said motor including a drum and a cooperating cable for propelling said truck and having a power medium conducting member leading to said mechanism, reeling mechanism for said conducting member, and means for operating said reeling mechanism.

22. In a mining apparatus, a truck provided with wheels, a mining machine there on provided with a driving motor and feeding mechanism driven thereby, means independent of said motor including a drum and a cooperating cable for propelling said truck relative to a trackway and having a power medium conducting member leading to said mechanism, reeling mechanism for said conducting member, and a driving connection between said truck wheels and said reeling mechanism.

23. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck, a mining machine pivoted thereon pro vided with a cutting mechanism, means to swing said mining machine about its pivot, and guard means at one side of said machine and projecting laterally from said truck, said guard means only including means preventing the cuttings from piling up over certain of the wheels of said truck at the end of said swinging movement.

24. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck provided with a vertically adjustable body portion, a mining machine carried by said body portion and having power operated feeding mechanism, a propulsive mechanism independent of said mining machine for propelling said truck relative to a trackway including a drum and a cooperating cable, means for supplying power to said mechanism, reeling mechanism for said supply means carried by said body portion, and means for driving said reeling mechanism from said truck wheels irrespective of the position'of said adjustable body portion relative to the truck wheels.

25. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a mining machine provided with a cutter bar pivoted on said truck and power operated feeding mechanism, said pivotbeing disposed in fixed relation relative to said truck, means for swinging said machine about its pivot including a flexible means, means independent of said mining machine for propelling said truck relative to a trackway including a power drum and a cooperating cable, means for supplyingpower medium to said truck propelling means, a reeling mechanism for said supply means, and a driving connection between the wheels of said truck andsaid reeling mechanism.

26. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck movable along a trackway, a mining machine having cutting mechanism pivotally mounted on said truck for pivotal movement to posi tion the outer extremity thereof at points substantially outside the opposite sides of the trackway, said machine also including means for effecting cutting feed, a drum on said truck actuatedindependently of said cutting mechanism and said feeding means and rotatable on a fixed axis spaced materially from the truck wheel axes, and cooperating flexible means extensible oppositely to fixed points in front of and to the rear of said truck to effect movement of the latter.

27. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck movable along a trackway, a mining machine having cutting mechanism pivotally mounted. on said truck for pivotal movement to position the outer extremity thereof at points substantially outside the opposite sides of the trackway, said machine also including means for effecting cutting feed, a drum on said truck actuated independently of said cutting mechanism and said feeding means and rotatable on a fixed axis spaced materially from the truck wheel axes, and cooperating flexible means extensible beneath the plane of said cutting mechanisms oppositely to fixed points in front of and to the rear of said truck to effect movement of the latter.

28. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck movable along a trackway, a mining machine having cutting mechanism pivotally mounted on said truck for pivotal movement to position the outer extremity thereof at points substantially outside the opposite sides of the trackway, said machine also including means for effecting cutting feed, a drum on said truck actuated independently of said cutting mechanism and said feeding means and rotatable on a fixed axis spaced materially from the truck wheel axes, and cooperating flexible means extensible outside the planes of movement of said cutting mechanism oppositely to fixed points in front of andto the rear of said'truck to effect movement of the latter.

29. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck movable along a trackway, a mining machine having cutting mechanism pivotally mounted on said truck for pivotal movement toposition the outer extremity thereof at points substantially outside the opposite sides of the trackway, said machine also including means for effecting cutting feed, a drum on said truck actuated independently of said cutting mechanism and said feeding means and rotatable on a fixed axis spaced materially from the truck Wheel axes, and cooperating flexible means extensible outside the path of movement of said cutting mechanism oppositely to fixed points in front of and to the rear of said truck to efiectmovement of the latter.

30. Ina mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to support a mining machine, a unidirectional propulsive mechanism carried by said truck including" a Winding drum independent of such mining machine and a cable cooperating therewith, and means cooperating therewith to permit-movement of said truck in opposite directions duri-ngunidirectional rotation of said Winding drum.

In testimonywhereof I aiiix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

